When James Madison was queried as to what might happen to the United States if the people were to elect a mischievous Congress, Madison wrote:
“I go on this great republican principle, that people will have virtue and intelligence to select persons of virtue and wisdom. Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks–no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.”
This coming Sunday our Gospel finds the resurrected Lord appearing to his befuddled disciples, who have thrown in the towel and gone back to fishing. His presence reanimates them for the Gospel commission, and they set about the work of summoning people to a deeper alignment with God in their manner of life.
One task given us this Eastertide is the cultivation of virtue and wisdom in our personal lives, families, parish and Communion…and also in the larger civil polity. The current political cycle reminds us that Episcopalians, by example and teaching, ought strive for public as well as private good so that all that we most cherish might prosper, and Christ’s Way more and more prevail.
A Blessed Eastertide,
GFW+
The Lessons for the Third Sunday of Easter, April 10th
Men’s Group 6:30am April 12th, Tuesday. Invite a friend! Bring your Bible.
Read “The Lead” from Episcopal Café
The recent edition of Episcopal News from the Diocese of L.A. may be found HERE, and articles from the national Episcopal News Service HERE
